Ballinlough got their Division 4 B-League campaign back on track with a five point win in Carnaross on Monday evening.

Ballinlough................4-10
Carnaross.................1-15

This was an enjoyable and sporting game between neighbouring North Meath clubs as Ballinlough's three first half goals proved decisive.

Paul Donoghue kicked the first score for Carnaross but Ballinlough settled into the game after Thomas Shine kicked their first score and despite playing against the wind they started to get on top in most areas of the field. Brian Brady made his debut at adult level for Ballinlough and he enjoyed a good tussle with Brian Commaskey at midfield. Brady kicked an early point and he was ably supported in midfield by the outstanding Niall Farrelly who got their first goal, which was soon followed up by another green flag as Jack Tunney finished clinically after some good work from Joe Farrelly and Jonathon O' Reilly in defence. The visitors were four ahead as half-time approached when Jack Tunney received the ball tight to the end line and he produced a moment of real quality to calmly steer the ball into the top corner, which left his side leading; 3-5 to 0-7, at half-time.

Carnaross made the perfect start to the second half as they reeled off three points in quick succession to narrow the gap to four; 3-5 to 0-10, but Ballinlough had an economical forward line and Tunney fired over superbly to get his side back on track. Carnaross kept plugging away but some wasteful shooting prevented them from making a comeback. James O' Higgins and Niall Farrelly along with Tunney kicked some nice scores as 'The Reds' kept some a comfortable margin between the teams and when Ken Rothwell rattled the net after a misdirected clearance they looked to have sealed the victory. Liam Brogan got a late goal for Carnaross but it proved too little too late as Ballinlough held out for an encouraging five point victory.

Best for Ballinlough were: Paul Farrelly, James O' Higgins, Jonathon O' Reilly, Brian Brady and Jack Tunney.

Ballinlough: M. Brady, M. Farrell, K. Beirne, P. Farrelly, J. Farrelly, J. O' Reilly, J. O' Higgins, B. Brady, N. Farrelly, N. Finlay, K. Rothwell, O. Brady, T. Shine, J. Tunney, L. Gibney. Subs: M. Reilly for Gibney and B. Mallen for Finlay.

Carnaross 1-14 Ballinlough 4-10
B League (Division 4)
Played in Carnaross - 20/5/2013

The concession of four goals left Carnaross with too much to do despite a spirited second-half display against neighbours Ballinlough.

It was Carnaross who got off to a better start and led 0-4 to 0-1 after ten minutes with Paul Donoghue, Barry O'Connor (2) and Colm McDonagh pointing for the home side. Ballinlough turned the game around when they registered 1-1 in the space of a minute to take a one point lead. Barry O'Connor levelled matters with his third point of the game but Ballinlough went on to dominate for a five minute spell when they registered 1-3 without reply. Carnaross reduced the margin with a point each from O'Connor and Liam Brogan but once again Ballinlough got through for a third goal to give them a 3-5 to 0-7 lead at half-time.

Carnaross were quickest off the mark after the restart and three points from Liam Brogan (2) and Colm McDonagh reduced the margin to four points. Once again Ballinlough replied with two more points to keep their distance from the home side. Stephen McGrath and Brian Comaskey scored a point each for Carnaross to leave four in it once again but this was as close as Carnaross could get as Ballinlough once again broke away and scored a point which was quickly followed by their fourth goal which put the result beyond doubt with eight minutes remaining. Carnaross did continue to attack and a goal from Liam Brogan along with a point each from Ollie Farrelly and Barry O'Connor reduced the deficit but Ballinlough added two more points before the final whistle.

Carnaross: Shane McNiffe; Tomás Plunkett, Tom Shortt, Ben Carry; Peter T. Farrelly, Cian Gillic, Alan O'Reilly; Barry O'Connor (0-5), Brian Comaskey (0-1); Colm McDonagh (0-2), Liam Brogan (1-3), Dean Connell; Stephen McGrath (0-1), Paul Donoghue (0-1), Tadgh Skelly; Subs: Emmet Mullan for Tadgh Skelly; Peter Mullan for Alan O'Reilly; Ollie Farrelly (0-1) for Stephen McGrath; Tweet

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